Malum In Se

Self Diagnoses|| Agaricus|| Closed @ Arsene

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #agaricus

shroomtopperhat‌:

“Like my jealously would keep you from using that tongue on anyone else. Well for words that least. I certainly hope you’re not using your tongue on the others.”

She looked like she was going to pout if he even entertained the idea. Though the thought of him entertaining her had her quiet for a few seconds as she tried to think of a proper response.

“Well, there are a lot of young bucks out there that would prefer someone with experience. What makes you think you’re anything special hmm?”

It was nice to catch him off guard for once, she was so confident that she didn’t expect him to react with a kiss right back her on the lips. She pouted, couldn’t she get an upper hand on him at least once?

“Just how far do you want me to go? Do you want me to just leap into your arms and tackle you to the ground?”

Honestly, that sounds like something he’d want to do. She’d not really in the mood for that right now.

“A surprise? Well… I can’t say I’ll have a surprise or anything ready for you if we got out. Isn’t my lasting company enough of a reward for you?”

“Well the main difference between those young bucks and I are two I’d say! One, you actually do want me to use my tongue on you and two, you just want me in general~. You’re exhausted and grumpy as all hell and yet here you are still being nice and playful with me. That’s a big honor for me you know~!”

He was definitely caught off guard! But he wouldn’t let himself go down without a fight and if a fight to see who can get the other to back down early is what she wants then that’s what she’s going to get. Not to mention he has no intentions of losing this playful and mischievous little game they’ve got going on either so if she starts this she won’t be able to regret it! He’s going to go all out, get to fourth base and never look back.

“Don’t be silly, I don’t want you to tackle me and take me into your arms, that’s childish and probably dangerous in your current state. Instead I want us to embrace each other and get comfortable in one another’s warmth as we share a bed after a passionate night which we both know we want deep inside~. Or are you going to try and deny it my Lil’ Shroomy?”

Yep! Not holding anything back is he.That’s her new nickname too, Lil’ Shroomy.

Fresh Air || Miss Carmine || CH3 || Closed: Arsène

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #miss carmine

darlingmisscarmine‌:

“Well of course~ You of all people should know I’m never one to shy away from a good compliment.”

If he was going to play yet another one of his teasing games then she was just gonna go along with it like she usually did. It was no secret Carmine loves herself some good old attention after all. If she was more shallow perhaps that would have been the only reason she hung around. Hopefully that wasn’t the case.

Taking his hand gently in hers Carmine wastes no time in giving his nail’s a nice shade of red. She wasn’t a pro nail technician by any means but she was skilled enough not to make a mess.

Hope ‘ya like red Arsène!

“Heh, talking about marriage already? Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you? Has this always been a little fantasy of yours? It wouldn’t be the first time people have dreamed about spending the rest of their lives with me you know~”

It’s difficult to tell whether she’s being honest or is just playing along. Considering how popular she is on social media perhaps it isn’t too far from the truth.

Though he’s certain that she and him aren’t as close as could be, even without asking he’s fairly sure she hangs around him for more than just the compliments, but even if she didn’t she’d still receive plenty of those simply because that’s how he is, always dishing out the seemingly endless pick up lines!

So this is what it felt like to get a manicure! He’s not impressed but he’s not disappointed either, it feels like just another service! Though he must admit, his nails are looking pretty dang good, the red especially stands out with his matching red vest. That’s something he can appreciate!

“Haha, perhaps, but I don’t recall fantasizing marrying the love of your life being a crime you can hold me accountable for~! I’m not the first or last person whose dreamed of it, sure, but that won’t be just a dream. I’ll make sure it becomes reality. Then I’ll dedicate myself to make you the happiest wife in the world.”

Whether it’s a game or not he’s definitely playing along! His words are just as sweet as honey as ever, but the question is do they carry any sort of weight to them? Well that’d be up to her for decide! He knows whether he’s being genuine or not.

Self Diagnoses|| Agaricus|| Closed @ Arsene

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #aga

shroomtopperhat‌:

“You and your little innuendos… I suppose it has been quite the experience that I’ve evolved from getting extremely flustered to being able to tolerate and even laugh at them. I just wonder… what would the others think of you if they found out about our little ‘fun’? I personally don’t care but I think your sweet talking wouldn’t work as well if they thought you were juggling around relationships like daggers.”

She’s no fool, Arsene’s silver tongue has probably been put to good use on more than just her. Maybe she’s worried that it would dull out if he ended getting too attached or committed. But was that a good or a bad thing?

“Oh…”

She seems taken aback by Arsene’s sudden tone shift. Usually, he’s not like this.

“If it sets your mind at ease then I’ll take a break just so you won’t worry so much about me. And… know that I’m glad to be your friend and ally as well.”

She leans in to kiss him on the cheek.

“And don’t worry, I have no intentions of keeling over anytime soon. I’d love to see that we make it through this to the end. Nothing would make me happier.”

His little innuendos at this point are probably regarded as a joke by almost everyone but he’s not going to stop them from coming! After all would he really be the Arsène everyone knows and loves if he didn’t try to flirt each time he met up with anyone in this estate except for a few select elder individuals?

“Heh, I wonder if you’re saying that because you’re jealous of my silver tongue or because you want it exclusively on yourself. Let me say right now though that I wouldn’t mind if that were to be the case. You’re just a few years my elder, and who knows, maybe it’s my fantasy to use it on a more experienced and mature woman~!”

While it’s true that he very rarely let out sentimental messages like those out, he still had developed fondness for the few people in here who he’d regard as a friend, and even then he’s talked at least once with everyone whose alive thus far and maintained a positive relationship with most of them except for maybe Maestro and Twelve.

Still, those feelings of caring for their safety remained there, lodged deep within his heart. The kiss certainly caught him by surprise! But while he was stunned for a few seconds, he just laughs it off and returns it with his own... Except he goes for a quick, brief kiss not lasting more than two seconds on her lips.

“C’mon now, if you’re going to try and tease me at least put your soul into it! But I do wonder just exactly what you mean by that. Do you have a surprise ready for me when we get out of here, Agaricus~?”

Fresh Air || Miss Carmine || CH3 || Closed: Arsène

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #ars nova #miss carmine

darlingmisscarmine‌:

Well it looks like Arsène is gonna step up his game cause despite his best efforts her face remains blush free! Perhaps she’s started to become so used to his sweet talking that it no longer has any effect on her? That or considering how their last encounter left she’s not letting him catch her off guard.

Who knows…

“Well in that case I’d say you’re very sweet… And horribly corny at the same time. Still, if I’m that important to you I guess it’s a good thing I’m around then~”

She sticks her tongue out playfully for a split second. It feels good being special.

As his compliments continued… She couldn’t help but roll her eyes. Laying it on thick there, eh buddy? Now she knows he’s just saying things to butter her up. There’s no way he looks at her nails that much. Shaking her head with a laugh she holds out her free hand to him.

“Alright then, give me your hand an I’ll get started.”

So she still refuses to budge! Guess that’s to be expected, this is Miss Carmine after all! She’s always been very emotionally strong since the beginning, and alongside him, she’s also the only other person in this estate who has yet to be poisoned. Maybe this is just a weird coincidence, but now he’s not sure if he wants such a close friend like her to even be affected by the poison even once... That’s something to think about at a later time though!

“Just as important as I am to you. I know I’m just a lame flirt, but you still give me the time of day each time we talk. I’m thankful for that every single time. I’m corny sure, but you also take every one of my compliments to heart, don’t you~?”

So today he’s going to play the teasing game! Still, with a wink and a chuckle, he hands his hand over to her. It’d be the first time his nails are painted but he feels like this is going to be a fun experience!

“You sure you don’t want me to give you my hand in marriage too? We could be very happy together for years to come, you know. Having you in my life would be the greatest honor and blessing I could ever receive~!”

pairofnines-blog

out | arsène & nines

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #nines

pairofnines‌:

“In the library,” he says, “There was something printed on the sail of the ship model. Turned out to be a book number, and there was a coin in it. Someone here likes their stupid games.” He pulls off his vest and drops it in the grass; he takes off his dog tags too but those are carefully rolled up and placed in a pocket.

He leans over the edge of the well, has to kinda lay his stomach on the edge and reach into the water. He’s very aware that it’s giving Arsène a good view of his butt. “Look but don’t touch,” he says, straining to reach whatever it is that’s down there.

The well’s not all that deep, and his fingers scrape the bottom, but he’s have a hard time actually finding- “Oh-”

He pulls back up and strands, flicks his hair out of his eyes with a jerk of his chin. Water drips uncomfortably down the side of his torso, not to mention his whole arm is drenched. He opens his fist to show two coins - one is red, the other has a question mark. “Speak of the devil, the coin from the library looked like this one.”

“Wait, wait, Nines, so you’re saying there’s clues hidden in the normal, everyday-looking objects? I guess I didn’t thoroughly investigated those, but then again I seem to have made a mistake thinking we were against something... Normal. Well then, now I know on what I should be focusing my investigation then.”

He does indeed look but not touch! Though it’s a very nice view he’s got here. Those ass less chaps really help detail that nice Nines butt for sure. But unfortunately he’s too focused on Nines’ last words to really comment on it, this is quite important after all!

“Coins..? I can’t say I recognize them but... Nines, this means you, Schrödinger and I are the only ones who may know about these. Something tells me we have to find as many of these as possible. I wouldn’t have figured this out if it weren’t for you, thanks! Maybe Percy was right, we do need someone like you helping us out. Alright, I’ve decided. I’m trusting you all the way! And hey, once we get out of here, I might be able to help make it up to you by showing you a good time~.”

Fresh Air || Miss Carmine || CH3 || Closed: Arsène

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #miss carmine

darlingmisscarmine‌:

As always she couldn’t help but chuckle at how over the top Arsène’s compliments were. Sweet as a cherry and more precious than a ruby? Ha! Though despite her amusement at it all there was some genuineness to her laugh. It was always nice to be called special after all.

“How sweet. Got any more red objects to list there while you’re at it~?”

She smirked, raising an eyebrow at the other. Red as a spicy pepper perhaps? Or red enough like an apple to keep the doctor away. If only the saying worked for professors as well.

“Perhaps you signed up for the wrong type of reality TV show then if want a date that badly. You seem like the type who’d fit in well on those bad reality dating shows. The suave bachelor type, you know~?”

That makes two of themselves at least. Carmine seemed to be quite comfortable herself as well! Then again she always did enjoy her conversations with Arsène. They were always so amusing to her… That and all the compliments she received from him were always a great ego boost. Still!

“Well… Since you love the color so much would you like me to do your nails next?”

She taps the nail polish bottle as if on cue. It was mostly a joke but Carmine wouldn’t be opposed to actually painting Arsène’s nails if he wanted.

There were definitely a lot more of red colored things Arsène could list and he’s definitely going to list them over time! For now though he only takes joy in her melodic laughter, joining in himself with a laugh of his own. Right now her laugh is like the most hauntingly beautiful tunes to his ears.

“Well... What if I said something like... I don’t care much about the color carmine and what I care for the most is you? That you, Miss Carmine, are the reason my heart beats fast and I can wake up every morning with a smile despite this horrible situation we’re in?”

He’s really trying to pull all the stops here huh! Even then he’s not yet done speaking. He’s definitely going to get that blush using nothing but his words, that’s his new goal! At least until someone turns up inevitably dead...

“Shucks, maybe I did sign up for the wrong show, but it was worth it because despite all this tragedy and chaos, to have met you is the best thing that has happened in my life~!”

Now that she brought it up though maybe they can spend the rest of their time together watching crappy, badly written fake dating shows! And hey it’s not like he doesn’t know how much of a flirt he is. But then again she would also make an ideal bachelorette for one of these shows!

“Maybe we should be signing up to those kinds of shows from now on instead of accepting shifty pop-ups. As for your question though? Sure! My nails do need some attention. I’ve never painted them before but if your nails are anywhere near as beautiful as your appearance and personality, then I know I’m in good hands~.”

Self Diagnoses|| Agaricus|| Closed @ Arsene

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #agaricus

shroomtopperhat‌:

“Well you’re certainly allowed to try Arsene. I have a feeling I’m not going to be getting any sort of progress for the rest of the night anyway. Who knows, maybe the dopamine rush will force me to fall asleep.”

She yawns once again as she talks with her eyes closed.

“I’m the naughty one hmm? I think you’re the one that’s made more proposals than I have. Perhaps you’re getting a little desperate?”

If they were going to play this game, then she was going to have fun picking at Arsene the same was he did to her.

As for the medical questions. Well there was less fun it those conversations.

“I suppose it’s possible that a Placebo Effect could be taking place. But it would be hard to convince ourselves that we weren’t suffering after two whole days of feeling like shit. And worst of all I doubt anyone would want to test the potency of the poison and wait the whole five days to see whether or not they would die from it.”

That’s probably the worst part about it, that there isn’t even any real threat but the perception that the poisoned would die would inevitably lead someone into dire action.

“Well my brain isn’t going to waste I can assure you that. I’m used to stress and sleeplessness… just not for this long is all.”

“Desperate huh? Well I wouldn’t exactly say I’m desperate, but I wouldn’t be lying when I say mushrooms are some of my favorite foods to eat. Especially when they’re fresh and filled with attitude. I just want us to have a little fun. You’ve gone from being flustered to returning my flirting after all. I only want you as much as you want me, and that’s a scientific fact. Opposites do attract after all~.”

Seems he’s really going to chase this to the very end huh! But then again their friendship has been like this since they met. Arsène is mostly shocked that she hasn’t yet shot him down or beaten him up considering how stern she tends to be with everyone else.

“Well, you’re right but I still don’t want you to push yourself past the point of exhaustion and fatigue. You’re still someone special, you quickly became my friend and one of my trusted allies in here Agaricus. I haven’t had either of those things in years so I’m just... A lame worrywart...”

He sighs before offering a melancholic smile.

“But if you say you can pull through, then I trust you will. You’re strong. Let’s get through this whole thing together, alright?”

pairofnines-blog

out | arsène & nines

#conundrum estate #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #nines

pairofnines‌:

Nines frowns. He didn’t know anything about a key. “There was a coin hidden in a-” his English suddenly failed him, “-A carved book? Whatever. Long story. No idea what it’s for, but I guess that’s for him to figure out.” He shrugs it off.

But what’s this? “I’m not saying you’re wrong,” Nines says, “But I don’t see why anyone would be working with Theo. Like, what does he get out of it?” He shifts and pushes open the door to the courtyard again, something having crossed his mind while he was talking about the coin. “I mean, the other guy might get something like… safety from murder, or poison, or something.”

He’s walking out to the courtyard, up to the well, and motions for Arsène to follow. “Maybe Theo just had a lot of time to get this place ready. Why would you just leave suspicious things lying around? Going to all this work to, like, torture and kill us, and slip up like that, seems kind of laughable.”

He’s at the edge of the well now, and peers down into it. “I thought I saw something down here, speaking of looking for stuff.”

“A carved book? That sounds like a unusual object right from the get-go... Where did you two found it? I guess I’ll have to ask them next time I see them.”

For now Arsène doesn’t play much importance to this coin of sorts, but will keep it in mind. Schrödinger never mentioned having a coin of sorts though, could he have been hiding it? For now he’ll continue following Nines along. It certainly seems like the man knows something and sure enough, before long they’re peering down a well together, looking at its shallow depth and water. Is there really anything here? Maybe. He wouldn’t rule it out.

“Yeah you’re right, there’s definitely something interesting looking here...”

Then he turns back to Nines and grins.

“There’s a full on package I’d like to personally and thoroughly investigate~. But really, if you saw something here why didn’t you try to take it out? And... Nines, you said you were a gambler, right? That’s a dangerous world, isn’t it? Do you happen to know if you made any influential enemies or something like that to have you... Be kidnapped here or something? Or did you also receive a pop-up like the rest of us.”

Fresh Air || Miss Carmine || CH3 || Closed: Arsène

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #agaricus

darlingmisscarmine‌:

Arsène chose the fedorahood life and now hes gotta deal with the lonely fedorahood consequences. Carmine has never been much of a hat person to begin with so maybe it’s not entirely the fedora’s fault. Just mostly.

Carmine can’t help but smirk slightly at the man’s response. Now she’s the one having wounded him for once? Oh how the turns have tabled. Still, even if he sounded sincere enough it was gonna take a lot more than words like ‘fate’ nd 'destiny’ to get her flustered again.

You gotta work for that!!!!

“No one else but me, hmm? Am I truly that special~? Forgive me, but with someone as flirty as you that’s almost hard to believe.”

Shaking her head with a chuckle the heiress already gets to work on painting the nails of her remaining hand.

“Regardless, thank you for the kind words. I don’t mean to brag but I am a pretty amazing woman, aren’t I? Heh~ You’re as charming as ever my dear Arsène.”

“Of course you’re that special. After all, you’re my very own dearly beloved Carmine Jewel that’s as sweet as a cherry, aren’t you~? More precious than any Ruby could ever be~.”

Well he’s oddly comfortable! Sure she might not be getting flustered or reacting as surprised as she did when they first met but talking to her is as fun as always. That’s sadly the one thing he’s disappointed about, but overall he would say his meeting and bonding with Miss Carmine is one of the extremely few positive ways this killing game has impacted him.

“Heh, you’re right though. You shouldn’t trust the word of someone as flirty as I am, but no matter how much I flirt I still can’t seem to get what I want most in this estate. Your heart~. I’d gladly give the millions of dollars away for a date with the beautiful, amazing and talented Miss Carmine~.”

This is probably the cheesiest conversation anyone’s ever had in this mansion.

pairofnines-blog

out | arsène & nines

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #nines

pairofnines‌:

Oh shit I didn’t realize we were on the clock. Nines grins at Arsène; always nice to have someone playing the same game back at him. “Tell you what,” he says, “First we investigate around the house… And after that we can make a more thorough investigation of anything we missed.” Flashes him a wink for good measure.

It’s not surprising though that Arsène has picked this place clean. Nines wouldn’t be surprised if he’d done so within a day or two of landing here. Still… he’s right, there’s got to be something that they just haven’t found yet.

“I wonder if there’s anything in those locked rooms upstairs,” he says, his gaze travelling toward the doors that would eventually lead to them. “It’s weird that Theo only gives us access to this place piece by piece.” Maybe there are relevant things in them that Theo keeps having to clean out? Surely it’s not just because of genre conventions. Hold on- Nines looks back at Arsène. “You said you were running around with Schrödinger, right? Did he still have that weird coin he found way back when we first got here?”

He’s packed this place clean at least once, that’s for sure, but even then he’s somehow been unable to find anything no matter how much he searches through. Could this maybe be due to Theo’s interference? It’s certainly odd in his opinion. He’s not really sure if he should share these kinds of groundless theories with Nines but... He doesn’t really have the luxury to continue mistrusting other’s intentions. This’ll be a complete shot in the dark... Hopefully it’s going to be a good one.

“No I... Actually think that maybe, just maybe, someone from the inside is working with Theo? I mean, I’m not the only one thoroughly investigating this place. Tank and... And Cigyun, we were all investigating this place top to bottom even before deaths occurred and we haven’t found anything. I think it’s either because Theo really is trying to keep us from finding out anything too important or someone’s snatching away that evidence before we can get to it--”

He stops, his eyes widening for a few seconds before he tilts his head to the side, confusion taking over his features.

“Coin..? He didn’t have a coin at all when we were running around... He had a... Key of sorts? I can’t recall if they ever told me where they got it from though but they said maybe it belonged to the lockers too? I-I don’t know... Sorry.”

Self Diagnoses|| Agaricus|| Closed @ Arsene

#conundrum estate #ce #ch3 #chapter 3 #arsene #agaricus

shroomtopperhat‌:

“Well, there are probably drugs out there that can inhibit sleep. Why do you think caffeine is so popular? Still, to have an effect this strong would have to be something extremely concentrated or just long lasting but I’ve never heard of such a thing. Yet here we are, sleepless…”

She jabs Arsene in his abs.

“You’re the one who said that they were mostly for show didn’t you? Better stars doing pushups if you want to drag me back down to earth.”

She’s silent at first when Arsene propositions her but then laughs a little.

“That would only make me more exhausted I’m sure. If that was somehow the cure then… well I’d be very disappointed in Theo for making such an intimate cure.”

Really whoever heard of a cure to poison with something so scandalous?

At the thought of controlling though Agaricus frowned and looked up to Arsene a little confused.

“Like a mind-controlling poison? Sure some of the poisons are mind altering but mind controlling sounds like a few steps far into the future. The human brain is a complex thing… if we could control it with some simple toxins I think some people would’ve done it already.”

While caffeine is definitely something that does aid in keeping one awake, Arsène has drank so much of it that its anti-sleeping effects no longer affect him. It just sort of serves him as a reminder to not fall asleep. He didn’t think there was anything that could even keep someone awake for so long. Jeez, so that means that for the following days six people are going to be completely useless.

“Are you sure you want me to drag you down to earth and not to the nearest bed instead? I’m sure that’s something the both of us would enjoy, behind that grump exterior is a very naughty girl, I’m sure of that~.”

Arsène himself didn’t even know if that would be the cure to anything but hey, maybe in a hedonistic world it might be. Thankfully this is not that world. That world is whatever cursed timeline Arsène and Nines talk in.

“Uh, well, no, not like that. I meant it more like... The Placebo Effect. They give us a drug that shows effects for one or maybe two days, but since our brains are wired to make us believe these effects are going to really last for five to six days due to what Theo told us, our bodies just... Continued showing these effects even though technically we are okay? Heh, yeah you’re right it’s a stupid theory. Sorry to waste your golden brain, miss finely-aged shroom~.”

Fresh Air || Miss Carmine || CH3 || Closed: Arsène